Today is the start of a landmark court brought by four farmers from the Niger Delta against Shell Oil.
The Nigerian farmers and fishers, who lost their livelihoods after oil from leaking Shell pipelines streamed over their fields and fishing ponds, are claiming compensation from the Anglo-Dutch oil giant. They also want Shell to clean up the oil which remains in the land, so that they can return to farming and fishing.
The four victims of the leaks are from three Nigerian villages.
They have subpoenaed both Shell’s subsidiary in Nigeria and Shell’s Dutch headquarters. They allege that as the result of Shell’s negligence, agricultural lands have been devastated, drinking water polluted, fish ponds made unusable and the environment and health of local people harmed.
Continue reading the case here
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This is a story that’s so sadly common – in Africa and South America notably. I recently watched a documentary called “Crude” which focused on a similar case between Chevron/Texaco and Ecuador.
And just like others, I’d guess that this particular David Vs Goliath case will drag on for years and years, until the poorer of the two runs out of money, or just gives up. Meanwhile, the people will continue to be affected by Shell’s negligence.
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it may well drag on for years – however does that mean the case should never have been brought to court. To get this far is a huge achievement and there is every possibility that the case will be won by the farmers. Better to do something than to sit and bemoan Shell’s actions.